Modern-day challengers have a clear benchmark against which to measure their skill and ingenuity. The World Water Speed Record is the pinnacle of sporting achievement on water – a compelling contest by man and machine, played out on a backcloth of wind and wave, distance and time.
The current record of 317.60 mph was set by Australian Ken Warby, in Spirit of Australia on the 8th of October 1978, at Blowering Dam Reservoir, NSW, Australia. Although this impressive mark has been challenged on several occasions, the record has now stood resolute for more than 36 years.

With the objective of bringing the Water Speed Record back to the UK, author Nigel Macknight established the ambitious Quicksilver project. Now, after much development work, experimentation and in-depth trials, an extremely efficient boat design has emerged.

With the help of the FARO Edge ScanArm HD data has been gathered relating to all of the Quicksilver boats external surfaces. The rapid capture of precise data will help to expedite the penultimate stage of the project. The FARO Edge ScanArm HD combines the flexibility and the functionalities of a FARO Edge measuring Arm with the high-definition Laser Line Probe HD creating a powerful contact/non-contact portable measurement system ideal for challenging application requirements, such as In-Process Inspection and Automotive.

Want to find out more about the Quicksilver case study? Then download a copy here. Or to find out more about our other FARO products then head to our website!